Greek government seeks prosecution of former finance minister over Swiss bank list

ATHENS, Greece – Greece's coalition government is calling for the indictment of former finance minister George Papaconstantinou for allegedly removing the names of three of his relatives from a list of Swiss bank account holders whose tax records were to be re-examined.

Seventy-one deputies from the three-party coalition signed the proposal Monday to indict Papaconstantinou for allegedly tampering with a public document and breach of duty — offences that would carry a maximum 10-year jail term, according to legal experts.

The 51-year-old former minister served in the previous Socialist government. But his party, which is part of the new conservative-led government, is backing the proposed indictment.

Papaconstantinou angrily denies the allegations, and says the names were removed without his knowledge.